Leadership and Professional Practice Admission
We will begin accepting applications to the Leadership and Professional Practice doctoral program (EdD) soon. Due to the cohort nature of the program, applications are accepted during a prescribed timeframe, typically December through February for the incoming Summer cohort. The next opportunity to apply will be December 1, 2025, through February 27, 2026, for the incoming Summer 2026 cohort. New cohorts are admitted in Summer only. To schedule an appointment with the Program Advisor to discuss how our program aligns with your academic/professional goals, please contact the LEAD Program Office at [email protected]. For questions regarding admission requirements, please contact Mr. Mark Fairchild, Graduate School Program Liaison, at [email protected].
To request to add your name to our list of prospective applicants to future cohorts, please select the Inquiry Form link below.
Inquiry Form
Minimum Admission Requirements
- Master's degree (or equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on all prior graduate work
- Minimum of two years of professional experience in an organizational/institutional setting, preferably in a leadership role
Application Requirements
- Required Application Materials
- Graduate School Application
- Essay Questions
- Three (3) General Recommendations (using the online form provided)
- Resume/CV
- Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, even if a degree was not awarded
- Non-refundable application fee (first time UTC graduate students only)
- Graduate School Application
Admission Process & Induction Foundational Course (Summer 2026 cohort)
Please refer to the Admission Timeline below. Following the review of complete applications in March, the Program Office will contact select applicants via email to schedule an interview to be held via Zoom video conference in April. Applicants will be notified of admission status no later than May 1. New cohort members will enroll in a required foundational course, LEAD 7000 Learning and Leadership: Induction and Integration (1 credit hour), during the Summer 2026 semester. The foundational course includes one required class meeting on the UT-Chattanooga campus and one required synchronous class meeting via Zoom video conference. In addition to the two synchronous meetings, the induction course includes material work in the Virtual Classroom (UTC Learn/Canvas) through discussions and readings. Should an admitted participant be unable to fully participate in the LEAD 7000 foundational course, the participant may request to defer admission for one academic year.
Admission Timeline (Summer 2026 cohort)
December 1, 2025: Application cycle opens
December 1, 2025 - February 27, 2026: Applications are processed by the UTC Graduate School
February 27, 2026: Application deadline
March 2026: Complete applications are routed to the academic department for review by the Admission Committee
April 2026: The admission evaluation process continues; select applicants are contacted via email to schedule an interview via Zoom video conference
May 2026: Applicants are notified of admission status no later than May 1 and specific Summer enrollment information is distributed to accepted participants
Summer 2026 (May - August): Enrollment in required foundational course, LEAD 7000 Learning and Leadership: Induction and Integration (1 credit hour). The foundational course includes one required class meeting on the UT-Chattanooga campus and one required synchronous class meeting via Zoom video conference. In addition to the two synchronous meetings, the induction course includes material work in the Virtual Classroom (UTC Learn/Canvas) through discussions and readings. Should an admitted participant be unable to fully participate in the LEAD 7000 foundational course, the participant may request to defer admission for one academic year.
Fall 2026 (August - December): Core course enrollment begins (6 credit hours – online delivery) and continues year round (Fall, Spring and Summer) through successful completion of the core program of study